Survey finds millions of U.S. youths facing mental-health strain from family issues and loneliness

A new survey released by Hopelab and Data For Progress highlights a rising level of mental health strain among U.S. youths, with nearly half of respondents aged 13 to 24 reporting that family issues, loneliness or related stress have a major impact on their wellbeing. The findings arrive as psychologists discussed the case of Tyler James Robinson, a 22-year-old who faces charges in connection with the killing of Charlie Kirk. Some experts cited Robinson’s isolation and home-life difficulties as potential factors that can accompany such life paths, while stressing that most people who experience mental-health challenges do not become violent. The Daily Mail quoted UK psychiatrist Dr Raj Persaud saying Robinson may have felt lonely or isolated and had conflicts with his family, noting he had dropped out of college and was working as an electrician’s apprentice while spending long hours gaming. Researchers cautioned against drawing causal links between mental-health issues and violence, but acknowledged that isolation and family strain are prominent themes in discussions around youth well-being.

Hopelab and Data For Progress reported that 47 percent of those aged 13 to 24 — about 21.6 million people — said family issues were having a lot or quite a bit of impact on their mental health. Having no clear path in life and struggles with school were the next most common factors cited, both at 44 percent of respondents. Loneliness ranked fourth as a major disruption for mental health, with 42 percent of young people describing it as a significant burden. The survey also found that 15 percent of respondents — representing roughly 6.9 million people — said they were unhappy in life. The poll captured responses from 1,300 people and weighted them to reflect differences by age, sex, education, location and sexual orientation. A visual accompanying the report underscored the breadth of these concerns among the youth population.

The report emphasizes that mental-health concerns persist across the population but are unevenly distributed. It notes that certain groups face higher risks, including Queer youth, girls and women, and those facing economic hardship. In the authors’ words, too many young people report poor mental health and wellbeing, and there is a call for a fundamental shift in how older generations support them, including more respectful listening to the needs of younger generations. In addition to the core findings, the survey offered a clearer glimpse into the daily lives that shape mental health: more than two-fifths of respondents reported that loneliness affected their daily mood, and a sizable share said debt worries, uncertainty about the future, and academic pressures had a strong impact on their sense of wellbeing. The report also highlighted strategies young people believe would most help mental health, with solo downtime, time spent with friends, and adequate sleep receiving the highest marks for potential mood improvement.

By gender, the data showed a divergence in reported unhappiness: 18 percent of females described themselves as unhappy, compared with 13 percent of males. Among age groups, those aged 18 to 24 and those aged 13 to 17 both reported 16 percent as unhappy. The proneness to stress varied with circumstances as well, with one in five participants saying that debt, lack of a clear life path, academic pressure, job market concerns and the ability to afford basic necessities had a “lot” of impact on their mental health. The authors note that while the majority of young people will not engage in violent acts, the data reveal a broader mental-health challenge that many experts say has intensified in recent years due to factors such as screen time, social-media use, and shifts in social interaction.

The broader context includes official indicators of rising mood distress. CDC data show that among all individuals aged 12 and over, 40 percent report feelings of depression in more recent years, up from 28 percent in 2003. The July survey responses were weighted to reflect the demographic makeup of the broader youth population, and the findings align with a growing national conversation about how to support young people as they navigate education, employment prospects, housing stability and evolving social norms. The study describes a landscape in which loneliness, family strain and economic pressures are central stressors for today’s youth, even as many report meaningful social connections and moments of personal resilience. The researchers urge policymakers, educators and families to listen more closely to young people and to invest in resources that can help mitigate these stressors, including access to mental-health services, guidance on career planning and community-based supports that foster connection. As the conversation around youth mental health continues, the report’s authors say the lessons learned must inform practical steps to improve wellbeing and reduce the kinds of risk factors that accompany social isolation and financial insecurity.